Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Nearly £10M for new Welsh ambulances

Health Minister Mark Drakeford has announced funding of £9.484m a major upgrade of the Welsh Ambulance Services fleet of vehicles.

The money will allow the replacement of 110 vehicles, including emergency ambulances and rapid response vehicles.

The Minister made the announcement ahead of a debate in the National Assembly for Wales on the Ministerial Review of the Welsh Ambulance Review, which was published on 29 April.

Mark Drakeford said: “The volume of calls to the Ambulance Service in Wales has risen by 68% over the last decade. It relies on its vehicles being ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Ambulances in Wales are exposed to harsh conditions and high mileages in many cases. We must, therefore, keep investing in new vehicles so they are on the road and able to provide high quality clinical services."